No matter what programs you develop, there always exists a bottom line: you must know how to access and manipulate data. While data can be stored in many places, large quantities of frequently accessed data must be structured appropriately in relational databases like SQL Server. Meanwhile, data access in .NET is achieved through the ADO.NET classes - which essentially replace ActiveX Data Objects (ADO), combining ADO-style ease with the power of XML. Like an easy-to-read ADO.NET tutorial, this book will enhance your understanding of databases. The text reaches out to you, the intermediate-level C# programmer, by explaining data access with heavy reliance on C#. This book"s ultimate goal: to marry its content with your existing code knowledge base.